(26.09.2007) In cooperation with Armenian authorities and
organizations, FNI on 18-21 September organized a seminar on international
environmental obligations, domestic implementation and public participation in
Armenia. The seminar followed-up a seminar FNI co-hosted with the Armenian
Ministry of Nature Protection in 2006.

Since Armenia's independence
in 1991, the republic has signed and ratified a number of international
environmental treaties (16), but there are substantial obstacles in the
implementation process. As Armenia is struggling to recover from the economic
crisis and general hardships following independence, the war over
Nagorno-Karabagh and the blockade from neighbouring Turkey and Azerbaijan, the
authorities' main priority is economic growth, and environment has a relatively
lower priority.

"However, in our dialogue with Armenian
governmental bodies and civil society, we have tried to encourage a change
towards the need for political will as well as political feasability in the
ongoing implementation process," tells FNI Project Leader
Pål Skedsmo.

The seminar discussed
the implementation process, significance and efficiency of multilateral
environmental treaties (MEAs) against a backdrop of introductory lectures on
MEAs ratified by the Republic of Armenia. Among those presented were the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Cartagena protocol on Biosafety,
the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in
Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (the Aarhus
Convention), and the Convention of the Conservation of European Wildlife and
Natural Habitats (the Berne Convention). The development of a second National
Environmental Action Plan (NEAP-2) in Armenia was also
discussed.

International and Norwegian experiences with environmental
management and good governance were presented and discussed. In particular the
need for horizontal as well as vertical co-operation in environmental
management was stressed, and the following discussions revealed that the need
for this is considerable in Armenia. The various ministries, agencies and other
government bodies need to enhance their horizontal co-operation and sharing of
information. Regarding vertical co-operation, delegation of power and
responsibilities from the national to the local level should be
improved.

The final section at the
seminar included presentations and discussions on the role of civil society in
general and environmental NGOs in particular. Civil society in Armenia is
getting stronger and more assertive, but is nevertheless riddled by many of the
challenges facing civil society in post-Soviet states such as weak support from
the state, limited public participation and a too great reliance on
international donors. Several participants at the seminar called for closer
co-operation between the local communities and civil society.

"It is our
impression that these seminars, where a broad range of civil servants as well
as civil society representatives participate, facilitate and improves dialogue
between various sectors in Armenia. Several of the participants indeed said
they would bring the discussions at the seminar back to their various
ministries in order to continue the work with enhancing cross-sectorial
co-operation there. Feedback FNI has received after last year's seminar, from
representatives of both the authorities, civil society and international
organizations, has also been positive in this respect," says
Skedsmo.

Approximately 30 representatives from the civil service,
environmental NGOs and the scientific sector participated. The project is
funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) is an
independent foundation engaged in research on international environmental,
energy, and resource management politics. The Institute maintains a
multi-disciplinary approach, with main emphasis on political science,
economics, and international law.